A 'sad day for Eureka'; Arkley Center for the Performing Arts to close

The Arkley Center for the Performing Arts is closing its doors, at least for now.

A Security National press release states the center on G Street in Eureka will close in July for "much-need repairs, maintenance, and general upkeep."

"The building is a historic treasure, and we take its preservation for future generations very seriously," the release states. "The work is anticipated to be completed in early 2014. We look forward to re-opening as soon as possible and continuing to provide a center stage for the community."

Over the years, the 1920s Sweasey Building survived several fires and passed through several hands before its 2003 purchase by local philanthropists Rob and Cherie Arkley. The historic building underwent extensive restoration before opening four years later as the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts.

Pam Cahill, board president of the Eureka Symphony, said she was notified last Wednesday that the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts will be closing its doors indefinitely for upgrades and repairs at the end of June. She described it as "a sad day for Eureka."

"I was absolutely shocked. We had already signed a contract with them for next year and had started to sell season tickets and had created our brochures," she said. "We kind of feel like we're being thrown out into the street."

Cahill said the symphony just completed its 21st year as an organization and has been performing at the center for several years.

"We usually have around 500 people per evening, so we need a place with at least that many seats, and with a large stage so we can seat 60 musicians with instruments. There aren't many places around here with that kind of capacity," Cahill said. "Before we contracted with the Arkley Center, we were performing at different churches, but we've grown much bigger since then, and it's very hard to go back."

Cahill said she wanted to assure the community that the symphony will continue to perform, despite the change of location.

"The guest performers will stay the same, even though the dates might change a little bit from what went out in the brochure," she said. "We're working diligently so that we will have our season next year, though, and we'll let all of our patrons know where we'll be in the next couple of weeks."

The building was home to Loew's State Theatre for 50 years until it closed in 1973 and was taken over by Daly's Department Store. After Daly's closed in 1995, the building sat vacant. Humboldt State University purchased the theater three years later to use it as a performing arts venue. When those plans fell through, the Arkleys took over the building, saying they hoped to help revitalize the downtown Eureka area and bring top-notch entertainment to Humboldt County while providing a center stage for the community.

Halimah Collingwood, coordinator for the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir -- which just had its first show at the center earlier this month -- said she thinks the closure will hurt the cultural community of the area. "It's going to be a real loss to the community when it's not available," Collingwood said.

Collingwood has been volunteering as an usher at the center ever since the Eureka Symphony began performing there. "The building has such good acoustics, it just creates the most beautiful environment," she said. "I really hope the repairs are the real reason."

Charlotte McDonald, director of Eureka Main Street, said many theaters "go dark" this time of the year and the Arkley Center for Performing Arts had a much smaller schedule this season than in the past. She said shows at the center boosted other local businesses because patrons normally dine in the area before or after the show.

"It's been really fortunate that it's located in the Main Street area," McDonald said. "I was so relieved to find out it's not a permanent closure."

Laura East, co-owner and director of Ferndale Dance Academy, said one of the best things about the building was the aesthetic appeal. "It is just so beautiful and feels so professional," East said. "Our dancers get this wonderful sense of awe performing there."

East said the dance school has been performing at the center every year for the past five years. Its annual performance will be one of the last before the center closes.

"I think it adds to everything that Humboldt County has to offer," East said. "It means people don't have to leave the area to experience these types of performances."